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Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for International Law
Navi Pillay is a lawyer and judge from South Africa.
She won the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for work promoting peace and international law.
She grew up during apartheid, when people were treated unfairly because of race.
She became a lawyer and worked on important cases in South Africa and at international courts.
At a tribunal for Rwanda, she helped establish that rape and sexual violence can be used as acts of genocide.
She also led the United Nations’ human rights office from 2008 to 2014.
The Nobel Committee said laws and courts can help settle conflicts without violence.
The prize is worth 12 million Swedish kronor and is scheduled to be presented in Oslo on December 10.
The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2026 Peace Prize to South African jurist Navanethem “Navi” Pillay.
The committee cited her efforts to promote peace and international law.
Pillay served as a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court.
She was the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014 and later chaired a UN commission on the Occupied Palestinian Territory.
Born in Durban in 1941 to an Indian Tamil family, Pillay grew up under apartheid and became a pioneering South African judge and lawyer.
- Who
- Navanethem “Navi” Pillay, a South African jurist and human rights lawyer.
- What
- She was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for efforts to promote peace and international law.
- Where
- The prize was announced in Oslo, Norway. Pillay was born in Durban, South Africa.
- When
- Announced Friday, October 9, 2026; the award is due to be presented on December 10.
- Why
- The Norwegian Nobel Committee recognized her work promoting peace and international law.
Key facts
- Laureate
- Navanethem “Navi” Pillay
- Award
- 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
- Committee's stated reason
- Efforts to promote peace and international law
- Birth
- September 23, 1941, in Durban, South Africa
- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
- 2008–2014
- Prize amount
- 12 million Swedish kronor
- Presentation date
- December 10, 2026, in Oslo
- Nominations
- 287 candidates, just over a quarter of them organizations
Quotes
Norwegian Nobel Committee
The committee that awards the Nobel Peace Prize
“At a time when the number of wars and conflicts is rising, and when judges and institutions of international law are under political attack, the Nobel Committee wishes to issue a reminder that the ability to resolve conflicts without force or violence is dependent on the international rule of law.”
NDTV
livemint.com
“An international legal system in which war criminals are held to account and the victims of abuse see justice served is a precondition for a peaceful world.”
NDTV
livemint.com
Shabia Mantoo
Spokesperson for the UN human rights office.
“It is amazing news, we need more dedication and commitment to human rights”
livemint.com
Sources
Navanethem “Navi” Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize: The South African Jurist Has A Connection To India
Nobel Peace Prize 2026: Navi Pillay wins for promoting peace and international law
Navanethem 'Navi' Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for work on peace, international law
Indian-Origin Navanethem "Navi" Pillay Awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2026
Nobel Peace Prize 2026: Navi Pillay honoured as Nobel Committee calls for ‘a peaceful world’
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